Digital residential entertainment system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a comprehensive digital residential entertainment system. A system includes a data switch, a mass storage device, a tuner and a demodulator. The data switch has a plurality of switch ports, and the mass storage device is coupled to a switch port of the plurality of switch ports of the data switch. The tuner selects an information channel of a plurality of information channels. The demodulator is coupled to a switch port of the plurality of switch ports of the data switch and to the tuner. A Web-based graphical user interface can be provided for accessing and controlling the features and functions of the digital residential entertainment system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to entertainment systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods fordigital residential entertainment systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumers' homes typically include separate physical networks to supportthe distribution of video, audio, telephony, and data. For example,coaxial cable (such as quad-shielded RG6 coax), is often installed inhomes for the distribution of audio/video (e.g., cable television(“CATV”), satellite broadcast television, local broadcast television)signals, while speaker wire is installed for the distribution of audiosignals. Conventional home phone lines carry telephony and data. Forexample, the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HPNA) 2.0 specificationsupports networking speeds of 10 megabits per second (Mb/S). Twistedpair wiring, such as Category of Performance 5 (“CAT 5”), CAT 5e, CAT 6,or CAT 7, can be installed to support telephony networking and broadbanddata networking. CAT 5 cabling can support applications requiring acarrier frequency of up to 100 megahertz (“MHz), and CAT 5e cabling cansupport signaling rates of up to 200 MHz over distances of up to 100meters. Proposed cabling standards (proposed as of July, 2000) CAT 6 andCAT 7 are intended to support signaling rates of up to 250 MHz and 600MHz respectively. Broadband data networking can also be supported byoptical fiber cabling, such as Optical Carrier 3 (“OC-3”) or better.OC-3 fiber cabling can support data transmission rates of up to 155.52Mb/S.

To support delivery of integrated services (e.g., Web-enhanced TV) overthese separate physical networks, known digital set top boxes (“STBs”)typically have a plurality of physical interfaces for connection to theseparate networks, e.g., a coax network interface for delivery ofaudio-video, a twisted pair network interface for broadband datanetworking, and other types of networks. In addition to having separatephysical networks to handle video distribution, audio distribution,telephony networking, and broadband data networking, consumers oftenmust learn to use different user interfaces for accessing and usingvideo, audio, telephony and broadband data networking applications andservices.

In the direct digital broadcast satellite TV business and in the digitalcable TV business, service providers have started to introduce enhanceddigital STBs that are Web-enabled and include computer hard drives forsupporting the recording, storage, and playback of broadcast content. Inaddition, some enhanced digital STBs include two tuners so that aconsumer can be watching one program while recording another program.The enhanced digital STBs can provide for pay-per-view movie delivery,but such services typically require the consumer to select apay-per-view that is pre-scheduled for a particular time. For example,the consumer may have the choice of watching the pay-per-view movie at8:00 p.m. or at 9:00 p.m. If the consumer, for example, wanted to watchthe pay-per-view movie beginning at 7:00 p.m., she nevertheless wouldhave to wait until 8:00 p.m. to begin viewing the pay-per-view movie.

The enhanced digital STBs are usually more expensive than a basicdigital STB. Service providers have estimated that most households willbe unlikely to purchase more than one of the enhanced digital STBsbecause of the significantly higher costs associated with the enhanceddigital STBs (e.g., including Web-enablement, a hard drive, a secondtuner). Although many consumers will have multiple digital STBs in theirhomes, it is likely that only one digital STB per home will be anenhanced digital STB. Therefore, consumers will only have access toenhanced services—such as video/audio on demand, interactive TV, Websurfing, e-mail, electronic shopping and recording/storing/playback ofbroadcast programs—when they are using their enhanced digital STB.

In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a substantial needexists for systems and methods that can advantageously provide for acomprehensive digital residential entertainment system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods in accordance with the embodiments of the presentinvention disclosed herein can advantageously provide a comprehensivedigital residential entertainment system. In an embodiment, a digitalresidential entertainment system can provide access to multimediacontent over an in-house broadband data network that is coupled to adata switch, a mass storage device and a variety of informationappliances. The broadband data network can include Category 5 or bettertwisted pair wiring that can support the distribution of broadcastvideo, multimedia-on-demand services, broadcast audio, Web surfing, andother multimedia applications and services.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the comprehensivedigital residential entertainment system is based on a client/serverarchitecture. A core element of the system is a broadband multimediagateway (BMG) that can operate both as a multimedia gateway and contentserver within a client/server architecture. The BMG contains an Ethernetswitch that, in an embodiment, is capable of data communications of atleast 100 Mbps per switch port. The BMG can receive video, audio andother forms of multimedia content from a variety of broadcasts (e.g.,direct digital broadcast satellite TV, digital cable TV, terrestrialbroadcast analog and/or digital TV), Intranet, and Internet sources. TheBMG can deliver multimedia content to a wide range of informationappliances, such as digital televisions, computers, sound systems,electronic book displays, and graphical data tablets. In an embodiment,a BMG contains a Web server and supports user access to and control ofthe BMG functionality via a Web-based graphical user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of abroadband multimedia gateway.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a thin-client digital set top box accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a data table in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION OVERVIEW

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, acomprehensive digital residential entertainment system can provideaccess to multimedia content over an in-home broadband data networkcoupled to a variety of information appliances. A primary broadband datanetwork is implemented over twisted pair (Category 5 or better) wiringin conjunction with Ethernet switch technology operating, in anembodiment, at a minimum of 100 Mbps. In general, twisted pair wiring iseasier and cheaper to install than the coaxial wiring that is typicallyinstalled in homes to distribute video content. When used with Ethernetswitch technology, twisted pair wiring is capable of supporting thedistribution of broadcast quality entertainment video, such as directdigital broadcast satellite TV or digital cable TV, as well as,simultaneously supporting a wide range of multimedia applications andservices.

Within the digital residential entertainment system, the primarybroadband data network can be supplemented and extended by the additionof plug-in modules for other lower bandwidth data networkingtechnologies, such as Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA)Version 2.0, HomeRF Shared Wireless Access Protocol (Home RF SWAP), IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, and other similar technologies. For example, HomePNAVersion 2.0 allows for the multiplexing of 10 Mbps of data over existingphone wiring in the home without interfering with analog telephonyservices operating over the same telephone wiring. HomeRF, IEEE 802.11and Bluetooth are wireless data, or voice/data, technologies. Within thedigital residential entertainment system, HomePNA, HomeRF, IEEE 802.11and Bluetooth can principally be used for transmitting lower bandwidthmultimedia content, such as audio content, as opposed to entertainmentquality audio-video transmitted over the primary broadband data network.As newer technology emerges that improves the performancecharacteristics of HomePNA and “wireless” technology, entertainmentquality audio-video can be supported over what is defined today as lowerbandwidth technologies.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the digitalresidential entertainment system is based on a client/serverarchitecture. A core element of the system is a broadband multimediagateway (BMG) that can operate both as a multimedia gateway and contentserver within a client/server architecture. It contains an Ethernetswitch that, in a typical embodiment, is capable of data communicationsof at least 100 Mbps per switch port. The BMG can receive video, audioand other forms of multimedia content from a variety of broadcasts(e.g., direct digital broadcast satellite TV, digital cable TV,terrestrial broadcast analog and/or digital TV), Intranet, and Internetsources. As used to describe embodiments of the present invention, theterm “multimedia” encompasses video, audio, audio-video, text, graphics,facsimile, data, animation, and combinations thereof. The BMG candeliver multimedia content to a wide range of information appliances,such as digital televisions, computers, sound systems, electronic bookdisplays, and graphical data tablets.

A digital residential entertainment system can include a BMG that hasmultiple tuner/demodulators which receive broadcast multimedia contentand send the received tuner/demodulators have a shared communicationlink to a switch port of the Ethernet switch. Upon receiving multimediacontent, the BMG can transmit the multimedia content through theEthernet switch over the twisted pair data network to an informationappliance (e.g., a thin-client digital set-top box, an audio system, awireless MP3 player, or a wireless electronic device), store themultimedia content for future access, or transmit and storecoincidentally (e.g., simultaneously). The BMG includes a mass storagedevice (e.g., a computer hard drive) that can store multimedia contentfrom broadcast sources, an Intranet or the Internet.

In an embodiment, multimedia content can be stored in an encryptedformat on the mass storage device. Thin-client information appliances,such as digital STBs, can include decoding and/or decipheringcapabilities. Encryption of multimedia content can ensure thatproprietary and/or copyrighted material is protected as it istransmitted across the residential broadband data network. Conditionalaccess systems (“CAS”) using smartcard technology, such as thosemanufactured by NagraCard S.A. of Cheseaux, Switzerland and NDS GroupPLC of the United Kingdom, can be integrated in the entertainmentsystem.

The BMG can manage multiple demodulators/tuners to allow recording oneor more broadcast programs while watching another broadcast program. Aprogram that is being watched can also be recorded to provide a viewerof the program with the ability to control the playback of the program(e.g., the ability to pause, rewind, and so forth). Multimedia contentthat is stored on the BMG can be accessed from any of the informationappliances on the broadband home network.

In an embodiment, the BMG can include a Web-server to support astructured, Web browser-based user interface on each informationappliance coupled to the BMG, such as digital STBs, audio systems,wireless MP3 players and wireless electronic books. For example, aninfrared remote control and/or an optional wireless keyboard cancommunicate with a digital STB to interact with the Web browser-basedgraphical user interface that is presented on an information appliancesuch as a TV screen. The Web browser-based graphical user interface maybe used to access broadcast and on-demand video and audio content andmultimedia applications and services. Because the enhanced functionalityresides in the central BMG as opposed to peripheral thick-client digitalSTBs, a broad range of functionality, including record/store/playback ofbroadcast programs, video/audio on demand, interactive TV, Web surfing,e-mail and electronic shopping, is accessible from every thin-clientdigital STB in the home.

For example, to view broadcast video content, a consumer can use aninfrared remote control to select the content that he or she wants toview by utilizing a broadcast program guide, a search function, enteringa channel number, and so on. After the consumer makes a selection, thethin-client digital STB communicates with the BMG requesting that thedigital multimedia content be delivered to the digital STB. When theconsumer selects playing of a broadcast satellite television channel,for example, the BMG can tune a demodulator/tuner to the selectedbroadcast channel and begin streaming the selected MPEG video streamthrough the Ethernet switch and over the twisted pair wiring to thedigital STB where the video steam is decoded and displayed on the TV.Service providers will be able to download multimedia content, such asmovies, to the mass storage device of the BMG. The downloading can beaccomplished using a broadband data service to the home, such asAsymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (“ADSL”), or via a satellite directmulticast/broadcast service. In a movies-on-demand service, when aconsumer wants to watch a movie, they would use their infrared remotecontrol to access a Web page on the BMG Web server to determine whatmovies are currently stored on the BMG. After the consumer selects amovie for viewing, the BMG would begin streaming the selected movie outto the thin-client digital STB/TV for viewing. While viewing amovie-on-demand, a consumer would have playback control, such as play,pause, stop, rewind and fast forward. The consumer could also opt topurchase a personal copy of the movie. The copy could be stored on theBMG, or output to separate mass storage medium (e.g., written to aDigital Versatile Disc). Audio content, such as an albums-on-demandservice, could be implemented in a similar manner to allow playback andpurchasing of audio content.

The preferred embodiment of the digital residential entertainment systemis to couple the BMG to a residential gateway, where the residentialgateway is coupled to an always-on broadband data service, such as ADSLor a fiber optic service. The BMG can be installed in homes without aresidential gateway and/or a broadband data service. When the BMG isinstalled in homes without a broadband data service, the BMG can becoupled to a voiceband analog modem (e.g., a V.90 modem) coupled to ananalog telephone line. The dial-up voiceband analog modem may be used tosupport maintenance, administration and billing applications (e.g.,billing for movies-on-demand, music-on-demand).

As consumer data services offering significantly higher bandwidth to thehome become available, such as fiber optical networks extending into thehome, it will be possible to install a BMG, or a system with comparablefunctionality, outside of the home in a network-based platform.

Embodiments of the present invention can advantageously provide:

1. A common physical network in the home that supports the distributionof broadcast video, the distribution of audio, telephony networking, andbroadband data networking, as opposed to using separate networks;

2. Less expensively installed twisted pair wiring can be installed forthe distribution of broadcast quality entertainment video content ascompared to a discrete coaxial cable system for the distribution ofbroadcast quality entertainment video content;

3. A relatively consistent, easy-to-use, Web-browser-based userinterface can provide a user access to broadcast and on-demand video andaudio content, as well as multimedia applications and services, on arange of information appliances;

4. Consumer access to many enhanced services—such as video/audio ondemand, interactive TV, Web surfing, e-mail, electronic shopping andrecording/storing/playback of broadcast programs—from each thin-clientdigital STB/TV in the home;

5. Quality of Service (QoS) concerns associated with deliveringmultimedia content via an Ethernet Internet Protocol (IP) can beaddressed because each information appliance, such as a thin-clientdigital STB, is connected to a respective port on an Ethernet switchthat is operating at a speed of 100 Mbps or higher. In an embodiment,each demodulator/tuner and the mass data storage device are alsoconnected to a respective port on the Ethernet switch; and

6. Centralized functionality in the BMG and use of Ethernet interfaceswithin a thin-client digital STBs that can reduce the complexity andcost of digital STBs.

EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. A BMG 100 includes a data switch 101 coupled to atuner/demodulator 102 and a mass storage device 103. As used to describeembodiments of the present invention, the term “coupled” encompasses adirect connection, an indirect connection, or a combination thereof.Moreover, two devices that are coupled can engage in directcommunications, in indirect communications, or a combination thereof. Inan embodiment, the data switch 101 is an Ethernet switch, such as a100Base-T Ethernet switch. In another embodiment, the data switch 101 isa router.

Tuner/demodulator 102 can be coupled to one or more of a plurality ofmultimedia transmission systems, where each multimedia transmissionsystem transmits a plurality of transmission signals (e.g., audio,video, television, data, etc.). Examples of multimedia transmissionsystems include CATV, direct broadcast satellite TV, direct broadcastsatellite radio, terrestrial broadcast TV, terrestrial broadcast radio,and so forth. Tuner/demodulator 102 can be coupled to a CATV system(e.g., a headend of a CATV system) via communications link 32 (e.g., acoaxial cable). A plurality of transmission signals from a directbroadcast satellite TV system including satellite 20 and satellite dish21 can be received by tuner/demodulator 102 via communications link 22.Also, tuner/demodulator 102 can be coupled to a terrestrial broadcast TVsystem via transmitter 10, antenna 11, and communications link 12.

The plurality of transmission signals from the multimedia transmissionsystems can be transmitted over a plurality of information channels,such as, for example, frequency divided information channels, timedivided information channels, code divided information channels, wavedivided information channels, or dense wave divided informationchannels. A tuner of tuner/demodulator 102 can select an informationchannel of the plurality of information channels and pass a transmissionsignal to a demodulator of tuner/demodulator 102. The demodulator oftuner/demodulator 102 can extract an information signal from thetransmission signal. For example, a tuner can pass a transmission signalat a particular frequency to a demodulator, and the demodulator canextract the information signal from the transmission signal. In such anexample, the transmission signal includes a carrier signal and aninformation signal. The information signal can be a discrete (i.e.,singular) information signal or a multiplexed, composite informationsignal. For example, a multiplexed, composite information signal maycontain a plurality of information signals where discrete informationsignals are time-division multiplexed, frequency-division multiplexed,and/or code-division multiplexed. Accordingly, tuner/demodulator 102 caninclude a plurality of tuners and/or demodulators to isolate aninformation signal that is multiply multiplexed (e.g.,frequency-multiplexed and time-multiplexed).

The information signal can be an analog information signal or a digitalinformation signal. When the information signal is an analog informationsignal, an analog-to-digital converter can convert the analoginformation signal to a digital information signal (e.g., a MotionPicture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) signal). In an embodiment, a BMG cansupport multiple MPEG2 encoding sessions (e.g., two or more MPEG2encoding sessions) and handle overlay processing. An example of overlayprocessing is presenting MPEG2 or other digital information in amultiple layer format. In another embodiment, a service applicationrunning on a BMG system can support transparent layers such as, forexample, overlaying a Web page on top of a TV program image used forinteractive TV services.

Tuner/demodulator 102 can send an information signal to mass storagedevice 103. Mass storage device 103 can be a hard disk drive, a magneticstorage device, an optical storage device, a magneto-optical storagedevice, or a combination thereof. The mass storage device 103 can storea digital information signal for subsequent playback and allows the BMG100 to provide playback control (e.g., play, pause, rewind, fastforward, frame advance, etc.) of multimedia content (e.g., broadcastprograms, movies, music, etc.).

Data switch 101 can receive a digital information signal from massstorage device 103, another digital information signal fromtuner/demodulator 102, or a plurality of digital information signalsfrom mass storage device 103 and/or tuner/demodulator 102. In anembodiment, a BMG 100 includes a plurality of tuner/demodulators, eachof which can provide a digital information signal to data switch 101. Inan embodiment, data switch 101 receives each digital information signalvia a respective, dedicated switch port. For example, when mass storagedevice is capable of concurrently sending four information signals toswitch 101, switch 101 can include four dedicated switch ports, whereeach dedicated switch port receives one information signal via adedicated communications path. Moreover, when BMG 100 includes threetuner/demodulators, each tuner/demodulator can be coupled to arespective switch port of three switch ports of switch 101 such thateach switch port receives one information signal. In another embodiment,data switch 101 can include a switch port coupled to a shared bus, wherethe shared bus carries a plurality of information signals. For example,dependant upon the data bandwidth requirements of the informationsignals and the data bandwidth capabilities of the shared bus and theswitch port, the switch port may be able to receive four concurrentinformation signals.

In an embodiment, data switch 101 can receive a digital multimediainformation signal (e.g., audio, video text data, graphics, or acombination thereof) via broadband data link 2 and residential gateway5. After receiving the digital information signal (e.g., from massstorage device 103, from tuner/demodulator 102), data switch 101 cansend the digital information signal to one or more of a plurality ofinformation appliances coupled to the switch 101. Examples ofinformation appliances that can receive a digital information signalinclude a digital set top box 300, a television 40 (e.g., a televisioncoupled to a digital set top box, a television including digital set topbox functionality), a computer 50, an audio system 60, an electronicbook device 70, an MP3 (MPEG Layer-3) player 80, an so on. Informationappliances can be coupled to the data switch 101 via a high bandwidth(i.e., broadband) communication link 95, a wired lower bandwidthcommunications link 96, and/or a wireless lower bandwidth communicationslink 97. Examples of high bandwidth communications links 95 include CAT5, CAT 5e, CAT 6, or CAT 7 twisted pair wiring. Additional examples ofhigh bandwidth communications links 95 include coaxial cable, opticalfiber cable (e.g., OC-3 cable), and so forth. Examples of a wired lowerbandwidth communications links 96 include HomePNA Version 2.0 compliantphoneline wiring coupled to a HomePNA port 141, CAT 3 twisted pairwiring, etc. Examples of wireless lower bandwidth communications links97 include a HomeRF communications link (e.g., generated at least inpart by a HomeRF transceiver 142), an IEEE 802.11 communications link(e.g., generated at least in part by an IEEE 802.11 transceiver 143), aBluetooth communications link (e.g., generated by a Bluetoothtransceiver 144), and so on.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, multipleinformation appliances can receive a digital information signal fromdata switch 101. For example, a television program broadcast by a CATVsystem can be received by BMG 100, and BMG can send that televisionprogram to a plurality of televisions 40 and/or computer 50 such that auser at an information appliance views the television program inreal-time. BMG 100 can also store that television program on massstorage device 103 so that a user can view the television program at alater time on one or more of the information appliances (e.g.,televisions 40 and/or computer 50).

Data switch 101 can also allow one or more users to access a broadbanddata service including a broadband data link 2. Examples of a broadbanddata link 2 include an ADSL link, a fiber optic link, and so on. Aresidential gateway 5 can interface communications between the broadbanddata service and the BMG 100. Residential gateway 5, in an embodiment,includes an integrated ADSL modem, a router and a firewall. It can beOpen Services Gateway initiative (“OSGi”)-compliant. (See www.osgi.orgfor additional OSGi information). Data switch 101 can allow, forexample, a user at computer 50 to access the World Wide Web (the “Web”)while another user accesses the Web as part of a Web-enhanced televisionservice at a television 40.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of abroadband multimedia gateway. BMG 110 can include mass storage device103 coupled to a data switch/router 105. Data switch/router 105 can be a100Base-T Ethernet switch, a 10/100Base-T Ethernet switch, a GigabitEthernet switch, an ATM router, and so forth. The data switch/router 105can be coupled to signal processing circuit 120.

Signal processing circuit 120 can include a plurality of tuners 121 anda plurality of demodulators 123, where each demodulator 123 is coupledto a tuner 121. Each tuner can be coupled to one or more communicationslinks, e.g., communications links 12, 22, and 32. When a communicationlink is coupled to a plurality of tuners 121, a plurality of informationsignals (e.g., television programs, movies, audio, songs, albums, etc.)broadcast over a communications link can be sent to data switch/router105 and/or mass storage device 103 to allow real-time viewing and/orplayback control (e.g., viewing, playing, recording, pausing, etc.) ofmultiple information signals. For example, a viewer at a firsttelevision may view a first CATV program, and another viewer at a secondtelevision may view a second CATV program. Further, a viewer can view afirst CATV program while a second CATV program is recorded to the massstorage device.

In an embodiment, each tuner 121 is coupled to the Ethernet switch via adedicated connection to the Ethernet switch (e.g., a first tuner 121 iscoupled to a first switch port of data switch/router 105 via a dedicatedcommunications link 146, a second tuner 121 is coupled to a secondswitch port of data switch/router 105 via another dedicatedcommunication link). In another embodiment, each tuner 121 is coupled todata switch/router 105 via a shared communications link, such as sharedEthernet communications link 145, or a shared system bus 135. A sharedsystem bus 135 can be coupled to signal processing circuit 120 forcommunications of control signals that can direct operation of tuners121, demodulators 123, and other signal processing circuits and/or logiccoupled to signal processing circuit 120. For example, control signalscommunicated to signal processing circuit 120 can include instructionsto tune a tuner to a particular information channel to receive atransmission signal. In an embodiment, control signals can control theoperation of an analog-to-digital converter 125 that can receive ananalog information signal (e.g., an National Television StandardsCommittee (NTSC) TV signal) and output a digital information signalbased at least in part on the analog information signal (e.g., an MPEG-2digital information signal). The signal processing circuit 120 can alsobe coupled to a decryption circuit/logic 127 that can decrypt and/orunscramble an encrypted and/or scrambled information signal, and adecoder 126 that can convert a digital information signal from onedigital format to a second digital format. In a further embodiment, thedecryption circuit/logic 127 is coupled to a smartcard reader 129 tosupport CAS functionality

An information signal (e.g., an audio-video signal from a DVD device, anaudio signal from a Compact Disc (CD) device, an audio-video signal froma Video Cassette Recorder/Player (VCR), and so forth) can also bereceived by the BMG 110 via an auxiliary multimedia input 166, which canbe coupled to the data switch/router 105 via system bus 135, via anEthernet communications link, etc. In an embodiment, information signalscan be encrypted and/or decrypted by cipher/decipher logic 168.Cipher/decipher logic 168 can decrypt and/or encrypt information signalsaccording to encryption/copy protection protocols such as an Analog CPS(Copy Protection System) (e.g., a Macrovision protocol), CGMS (CopyGuard Management System), CSS (Content Scrambling System), CPPM (ContentProtection for Prerecorded Media), CPRM (Content Protection forRecordable Media), DCPS (Digital Copy Protection System), DTCP (DigitalTransmission Content Protection), and so forth. An information signalreceived from the auxiliary multimedia input 166 can be stored—eitherencrypted or unencrypted—on the mass storage device 103 and/or sent toone or more information appliances coupled to data switch/router 105.

In a preferred embodiment, BMG 110 includes a processor 130 and a memory131, each coupled system bus 135. Processor 130 can be, for example, anIntel Pentium® III processor, manufactured by Intel Corp. of SantaClara, Calif. As another example, processor 130 can be an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Memory 131 may be a random accessmemory (RAM), a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a volatilememory, a non-volatile memory, a flash RAM, a cache memory, a hard diskdrive, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, amagneto-optical storage device, or a combination thereof.

Memory 131 of BMG 110 can store a plurality of instructions to controlthe operations of BMG 110, such as program recording, program playback,pay-per-view, and so forth. In an embodiment, the operations of BMG 110can be controlled at least in part via a Web browser-based graphicaluser interface (GUI) displayed to a user (e.g., displayed on atelevision). In an embodiment, memory 131 can store Web-serverinstructions such as GUI instructions to provide a Web browser-based GUIto a user, BMG operation program instructions, pay-per-view managementprogram instructions, and other instructions related to control andoperation of the BMG 110. Web-server instructions can also provideWeb-enhanced television to televisions coupled to data switch/router105. In another embodiment, the BMG 110 includes a Web-server 160 toprovide a Web browser-based GUI to a user for control and operationalpurposes.

Information appliances can be coupled to data switch/router 105 viadedicated high bandwidth Ethernet communications links 295, each ofwhich can be coupled to a respective switch port of data switch/router105. In an embodiment, each of Ethernet communications links 295 is aCAT 5 or better cable. High bandwidth Ethernet communications links 295can carry high bandwidth information signals (e.g., digital TV signals,MPEG-2 information signals, HDTV signals, and other audio-videosignals). Lower bandwidth information signals (e.g., audio, text, and soforth) can be communicated over lower bandwidth communications links,which can be a dedicated lower bandwidth communication link 147 or ashared lower bandwidth communication link 140.

Stream management logic and/or circuitry 150 can be coupled to dataswitch/router 105. In an embodiment, the stream management 150 caninclude a port router, a multiplexer, and overlay processing logic. Theport router can preserve quality of service (QOS) delivery between endpoints in the home network (e.g., between TVs and the DigitalResidential Entertainment System). The router ensures that the onlydigital signal sent on the unique network segment pertains to theestablished session between the designated end point devices. Themultiplexer, in an embodiment, can synchronize multimedia of differentsource types such as TV programming and advertising material. Forexample, pertinent content can be synchronized based on the requirementsof the service offering. The synchronized content can then sent over theinternal bus structure of Digital Residential Entertainment System tothe overlay processor. The overlay processing logic can supportsuperimposing one or more information signals (e.g., a secondaudio-video signal, a computer graphics signal) over a first informationsignal (e.g., a first audio-video signal). Web-enhanced television andpicture-in-a-picture (PiP) functionality can utilize the overlayprocessing logic.

BMG 110 can also include input/output logic and devices. For example,input/output can include one or more test ports such as a keyboardinput, a mouse input, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) input, a VideoGraphics Array (VGA) output. Peripherals (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, avideo monitor) can be coupled to the test ports to assist with set-up,repair, maintenance and/or upgrading of BMG 110. Input/output can alsoinclude a USB port that can be coupled to a printer, a recordable mediadevice (e.g., a Rewritable CD-ROM drive (“CD-RW”), a Rewritable DVDdrive (“DVD-RAM”), a flash memory device, and so on), and so on. Forexample, printouts such as program settings, system configurations, andservice charges can be printed via a USB port. Information programs(e.g., television shows, movies, songs, multimedia, and so forth) can bearchived and/or copied to removable media (e.g., DVD. CD-ROM) to free upspace on mass storage device 103 or provide for a portable version(e.g., a gift DVD, a CD-ROM for a car audio player, etc.). Input/outputcan also include a smart card reader/writer that can in part controlaccess to pay-per-view services, limit access to types of programs orchannels, and support debug operations. Smart cards are typically acredit card-sized card that contain a microprocessor, memory, and abattery. They can store electronic keys, user profiles, useridentifiers, access rights, financial information, and other data. Debugoperations can be integrated as a base operation in the system serviceapplications. Only authorized and ultimately authenticated smart cardsinserted into the entertainment system (e.g., into card reader 129,coupled to the input/output) can open locally accessible debugoperations. “Consumer” smart cards are authorized for services designedand developed for entertainment content delivery. Thus, an embodiment ofthe present invention has real-time pay-per-view and multimedia deliverysupport. In a further embodiment, pay-per-view events can be authorizedat least in part with a CAS smartcard device.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a thin-client digital set top box accordingto a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thin-client digitalset top box (TC DSTP) 300 can be coupled to a switch port of a dataswitch (e.g., a switch port of an Ethernet switch) via a dedicated highbandwidth communications link 95. In another embodiment, a plurality ofTC DSTPs 300 and a data switch can be coupled via a shared highbandwidth communications link. TC DSPT 300 receives a digitalinformation signal from the data switch and can output an audio and/orvideo signal to television 40. Television 40 can include a video displaythat displays video based at least in part on the video signal and audiocomponents (e.g., speakers) that output audio based at least in part onthe audio signal. The audio signal can also be received by an audiosystem (e.g., a home theater system) that produces audio of a betterquality than the speakers of a typical television.

TC DSTB 300 can include an Ethernet interface 310 when coupled to a BMGincluding an Ethernet switch. When TC DSTB 300 is coupled to a BMGhaving a different type of data switch supporting a differentcommunications protocol (e.g., an ATM router), the TC DSTB 300 caninclude a data switch interface compatible with that different type ofdata switch. TC DSTB 300 can receive a digital information signal fromthe data switch and process the digital information signal for output asan audio and/or video signal. For example, TC DSTB 300 can includedecryption logic 320 coupled to the Ethernet interface 310 via a bus315, and the decryption logic 320 can decrypt digital informationsignals that are sent by the data switch in an encrypted and/orprotected format. Decoder logic 325 can also be included in TC DSTB 300to convert a digital information signal from a first digital format(e.g., a transmission format, a compressed format) to a second digitalformat (e.g., a display format).

Operation of the TC DSTB 300 can be controlled at least in part byprocessor 330 and memory 331. An RF transceiver 333 of TC DSTB 300 canreceive from a remote control 305 remote data (e.g., remote controlinstructions, remote control data) relating to operation and control ofTC DSTB 300, such as instructions relating to playback control ofinformation signals sent to TC DSTB 300 and television 40. Remotecontrol 305 can select programs to be displayed that are beingtransmitted by a CATV system, a DBS TV system, a terrestrial TV system.Playback control commands can be sent by remote control 305 to controlplayback of programs stored on mass storage device 103. In anembodiment, remote control 305 can include keyboard and pointerfunctionality to facilitate Web surfing and/or Web-enhanced television.

In an embodiment, TC DSTB 300 controls the display of a Webbrowser-based GUI (“WBB GUI”) on television 40. The WBB GUI can providean interface for accessing multimedia applications and content, and theTC DSTB 300 can control the display of the WBB GUI based at least inpart on user input received via remote 305 and program instructions anddata stored in TC DSTB 300 and/or a BMG coupled to the TC DSTB 300. Forexample, applications that can be executed based on the WBB GUI and theremote 305 include a broadcast program guide; broadcast TV viewingcontrol; broadcast audio listening control; movies-on-demand;audio-on-demand; recording, storage and playback of broadcast programs;interactive TV; Web-enhanced TV; e-mail communications; Web surfing;electronic surfing; and so forth.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. A BMG600 can include a plurality of buses to interconnect BMG components. Forexample, the plurality of buses can include a media bus 610, a networkbus 615, and a system data bus 620. Media bus 610 can receiveinformation signals (e.g., broadcast signals, multimedia signals, and soon) from signal processing circuit 120. In an embodiment, signalprocessing circuit 120 and media bus 610 are coupled via systemcipher/dechiper logic 628. System data bus 620 can be coupled to themedia bus 610 to receive information signals (e.g., for storage on massstorage device 103, for sending to information appliances, and so on).In an embodiment, media bus 610 and system data bus 620 can be coupledto a video overlay processor 605 to support at least in partpicture-in-picture operations, picture-in-graphic operations, and othervideo overlay operations. System data bus 620 can be coupled to dataswitch/router 105 via network bus 615 to receive information signals(e.g., real-time information signals), overlayed information signals andstored information signals (e.g., stored on mass storage device 103).Data switch/router 105 can be coupled to a plurality of high bandwidthcommunications links 95 for transmission of information signals toinformation appliances.

FIG. 4 shows an illustration of an embodiment of the present invention.A plurality of transmission signals are received (e.g., by amultichannel tuner), and each transmission signal includes aninformation signal (box 405). A first transmission signal of theplurality of transmission signals is selected (e.g., by the multichanneltuner) (box 410), and demodulated to isolate a first information signal(box 415). Whether the first information signal is to be viewed at afirst information appliance is determined (box 417). When the firstinformation signal is to be viewed at a first information appliance, thefirst information signal is sent to a digital data switch (box 420), andthe digital data switch can send the first information signal to thefirst information appliance via a first broadband communications linkcoupled to the digital data switch (box 425).

Whether the first information signal is to be viewed at a secondinformation appliance is determined (box 427). When the firstinformation signal is to be viewed at a second information appliance,the digital data switch can send the first information signal to thesecond information appliance via a second broadband communications linkcoupled to the digital data switch (box 430). Whether the firstinformation signal is to be record (e.g., for later playback, forplayback control, to provide personal video recording (“PVR”)functionality, and so on) is determined (box 432). When the firstinformation signal is to be recorded, it can be stored on a mass storagedevice (box 435).

In an embodiment, the first information signal is sent to the massstorage device via the digital data switch. In another embodiment, thefirst information signal is sent to the digital data switch via the massstorage device. In a further embodiment, the first information signal issent to both the mass storage device and the digital data switchcontemporaneously (e.g., in parallel, in serial).

The digital data switch receives an instruction to send a secondinformation signal from the second information appliance via the secondbroadband communications link (box 440), and sends the instruction tosend a second information signal to a processor (box 445). The processorsends a select second transmission instruction (e.g., to themultichannel tuner) (box 450). The second transmission signal of theplurality of transmission signals is selected (e.g., by the multichanneltuner) (box 455), and demodulated to isolate a second information signal(box 460). The second information signal is sent to the digital dataswitch (box 465), and the digital data switch sends the secondinformation signal to the second information appliance via the secondbroadband communications link (box 470).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a serviceprovider can download multimedia content items (e.g., movies, televisionprograms, songs, albums, and so forth) to a multimedia-on-demand device(“MODD”) including a mass storage device that can store receivedmultimedia content. In an embodiment, a MODD can be part of a BMG thatincludes a plurality of tuner/demodulators and a data switch. Multimediacontent downloading can be accomplished using a broadband data service,such as ADSL, a satellite direct multicast/broadcast service, a cabletelevision service, a digital cable television service, a terrestriallybroadcast television service, a wireless broadband data service, a wiredbroadband data service, and so on. Downloaded multimedia content itemsare stored on the mass storage device of the MODD. Each storedmultimedia content item can be identified by a multimedia content itemidentifier, and use of the multimedia content item (e.g., playback,purchase of a copy, licensing of a copy, etc.) can be indicated by amultimedia content item usage indicator. Usage of the multimedia contentitem can be reported to the multimedia-on-demand service provider(“MODSP”) by transmitting a usage message to the MODSP. For example, ausage message can be based at least in part on the multimedia contentitem usage indicator and report that a subscriber viewed a movie,listened to a song, copied an album to non-volatile medium (e.g., arecordable CD-ROM, a recordable DVD).

A MODD, in an embodiment, can automatically receive multimedia contentitems from a MODSP, where the MODSP downloads a plurality of multimediacontent items without a user selecting or requesting the downloading ofa particular multimedia content item. In an embodiment in which a MODSPoffers a pay-per-view movie service, a user can opt to receive thepay-per-view service (e.g., subscribe to the service) or may receive thepay-per-view service because it is a system default service that eachuser receives as part of using the system (e.g., it is a bundledcomponent of a digital cable service, a direct broadcast satellitetelevision service, and so on). But the user need not select or directthe downloading of an individual multimedia content item. The MODSP can,however, automatically send the plurality of multimedia content itemsbased on a subscriber profile or a system profile, and the user canmodify or update such profiles (e.g., to select a particular genre ofmovies, music, content, and so on).

For example, in an embodiment in which a MODSP offers a pay-per-viewservice, the MODSP can automatically download each of the top ten movierentals for a given week to a MODD of a user. Aside from perhapssubscribing to such a “Top Ten Movies” service, a user need notindividually indicate or order that one of the “Top Ten Movies” bedownloaded. To access the automatically downloaded content, the user caninstruct the MODD to display a listing of the “Top Ten Movies” that arestored on the mass storage device of the MODD and select one forplayback. The MODSP can update the “Top Ten Movies” by downloading a newmovie to the MODD to replace one of the previously stored movies (e.g.,by indicating that one of the previously stored movies is to be deleted,by storing the new movie in the storage position of one of thepreviously stored movies, by updating a data table that indexes thestored movies, etc.).

In another embodiment, a MODSP can automatically download each of thetop 40 singles or albums of a particular music genre. The top 40 lineupcan be updated daily, weekly, monthly, or at another desired timeinterval. A user can modify a subscriber profile to identify the genreof multimedia content items that are to be automatically downloaded(e.g., county & western music, action movies, pop singles, new releases,etc.). A MODD can store the downloaded multimedia content items on amass storage device. It can include a data table to indicate whichmultimedia content items are locally stored and the usage status of eachof the multimedia content items.

For example, FIG. 5 shows a data table in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. A MODD can include a data table 500 (e.g.,stored on a mass storage device, stored in non-volatile memory, etc.)Data table 500 can include a plurality of data records 501. Each datarecord 501 can correspond to a multimedia content item stored on themass storage device. In an embodiment, each data record 501 of datatable 500 includes a multimedia content item identifier field 505 tostore a multimedia content item identifier (e.g., a movie title, a movieidentification code, a movie filename, a song title, an album title, andso on), and a multimedia content item type indicator field 510 to storea multimedia content item type indicator (e.g., audio-video, audio,television program, movie, animation, presentation, graphics, text,etc.)

Data record 501, in an embodiment, can include multimedia content itemusage indicator fields 520 and 530 that can each store an indicator asto whether the corresponding multimedia content item has been used. Forexample, multimedia content item usage indicator field 520 can store anindication regarding whether the corresponding multimedia content itemhas been played (e.g., played for viewing, played for listening), andmultimedia content item usage indicator field 530 can store anindication as to whether the corresponding multimedia content item hasbeen purchased (e.g., copied to a portable non-volatile storage mediumsuch as a recordable CD-ROM or DVD, sent to an information appliancethat can store the multimedia content item, changed from a temporaryfile to a permanent file resident on the mass storage device, copied toa separate mass storage device for archival purposes, etc.). In anotherembodiment, a multimedia content item usage indicator field can storeone or more multimedia content item usage indicators corresponding tothe multimedia content item (e.g., an indicator that the item has notbeen played or purchased, that the item was purchased, that the item waslicensed, and so forth). In an embodiment, the cost of playback and/orpurchase can vary based on the particular multimedia content item, andcost fields 515 and 525 can respectively store the cost of playback(e.g., cost of viewing, cost of listening) and cost of purchase (e.g.,cost of ownership, cost of a type of license, and so on).

In an embodiment, a MODD can be part of a BMG that includes a dataswitch and is coupled to a plurality of information appliances via aplurality of broadband data links. A user at an information appliance ofthe plurality of information appliances can use a wireless infrared orRF remote control to access a BMG-generated Web page to determine whatmultimedia content items are currently stored on the MODD/BMG. After theconsumer sends a usage instruction (e.g., playback instruction), theMODD/BMG can direct usage of the multimedia content item (e.g., beginstreaming the selected multimedia content item to the informationappliance). Usage information relating to the selected multimediacontent item can be written to a data table 500. Periodically, datatable 500 can be used to generate a usage message that is sent to theMODSP for customer billing purposes, customer monitoring purposes,account processing, etc. For example, the usage message can be sent eachevening in the middle of the night via a dial-up data connection, aftereach modification of the data table via a dedicated data connection, andso forth. In an embodiment in which the MODD/BMG is coupled to an alwayson data service, a usage message can be automatically sent immediatelyfollowing a user purchase.

In an embodiment of the present invention, multimedia content items aresent to a MODD at a transmission rate that is different than theplayback rate of the multimedia content item. Known pay-per-viewservices transmit television programs (e.g., movies, sporting events,etc.) at a real-time rate where the rate of playback is the same as thetransmission rate. Embodiments of the present invention advantageouslyprovide for transmission of multimedia content items at rates that arelesser and greater than a playback rate because the multimedia contentitems are to be stored on a mass storage device. For example, multimediacontent items can be automatically downloaded at high speed during aperiod of the day when a data network typically has fewer data demands(e.g., in the middle of the night). Also, multimedia content items canbe automatically downloaded at lower speeds (e.g., at one-quarter of theplayback rate, at one-tenth of the playback rate, at one-fiftieth of theplayback rate) based on network data demands, or network bandwidthconstraints.

For example, a 120 minute movie at an MPEG2 encoded rate of 3.5 Mb/s cancomprise a 3.15 gigabyte data file, and known ADSL services can providedown stream data transmission rates of 1.5 Mbps. Downloading the 120minute movie over such an ADSL line can take approximately 4.7 hours,and the downloading of the 120 minute to a MODD can be automaticallyperformed in the middle of the night. Subsequently, a user can requestthat the movie be played back to an information appliance at theplayback rate (e.g., real-time).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the MODD can indicatethat a multimedia content item is available for playback prior tostoring the entirety of the multimedia content item. For example, amultimedia content item can have a 2 hour playback time and comprise a 2gigabyte data file. When the MODD receives the movie at an averagetransmission rate of, for example, 444 kbps, it can requireapproximately 10 hours total to receive the entirety of the multimediacontent item. When playback rate of the multimedia content item isrelatively smooth and the remaining amount of time required to completethe download is less than the playback time of the multimedia contentitem, the MODD can indicate that the multimedia content item isavailable for playback. Thus, when the downloading of the multimediacontent item began at noon, for example, and would not be complete until10:00 p.m., the MODD can nevertheless indicate that the multimediacontent item is available for playback beginning at 8:00 p.m.

A MODSP, in an embodiment of the present invention, can access asubscriber profile to determine which particular multimedia contentitems are to be automatically downloaded to a MODD. In an embodiment, asubscriber profile is a system default profile where each subscriberreceives the same content. In another embodiment, a subscriber profileallows a subscriber to specify the types of multimedia content itemsthat will be automatically downloaded to a MODD of the subscriber. Forexample, a subscriber can indicate that he would like to have the topten movie rentals downloaded and stored on his MODD. Each time that topten movie lineup changes (e.g., daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc),the new movies can be automatically downloaded to the MODD and themovies that are no longer in the top ten movie lineup can be removed(e.g., deleted, overwritten, de-indexed, etc.) from the MODD.

In an embodiment, a MODSP automatically sends a multimedia content itemidentifier with each multimedia content item that is sent to the MODD.The MODD can then store the multimedia content item on a mass storagedevice and the multimedia content identifier in a data table that cantrack usage, if any, of the multimedia content item.

A MODSP can also send a multimedia content item storage positionidentifier for each multimedia content item. The multimedia content itemstorage position identifier can specify a logical storage position for amultimedia content item. For example, in a top five movies-on-demandservice, the multimedia content item storage position identifier canspecify whether a particular movie is number 1, number 3, number 5, andso forth. When the movie lineup changes (e.g., the rankings of themovies are reordered), new multimedia content item storage positionidentifiers can be downloaded for the multimedia content items alreadystored on the MODD.

For example, Table 1 shows a top five movie lineup, where each of moviesA, C, R, E, and S are stored on a MODD.

TABLE 1 Storage Position Multimedia Content Identifier Item Identifier 1Movie A 2 Movie C 3 Movie R 4 Movie E 5 Movie STable 2 shows that when the movie lineup changes (as compared toTable 1) without the addition of any new movie, the storage positionidentifiers can be updated (e.g., via downloading).

TABLE 2 Storage Position Multimedia Content Identifier Item Identifier 1Movie S 2 Movie C 3 Movie A 4 Movie R 5 Movie ETable 3 shows that when the movie lineup changes (as compared to Table2) with the addition of one or more new movies: a new multimedia contentitem can be automatically downloaded with a multimedia contentidentifier and a multimedia content item storage position identifiers;and/or an old multimedia content item can be removed (e.g., overwritten,deleted, evicted from an index, etc.).

TABLE 3 Storage Position Multimedia Content Identifier Item Identifier 1Movie S 2 Movie C 3 Movie A 4 Movie R 5 Movie F

In an embodiment, a multimedia content item identifier is a compositemultimedia content item identifier/multimedia content item storageposition identifier. In another embodiment, a plurality ofmultimedia-on-demand services are supported by a MODD. For example, aMODD stores a plurality of movies-on-demand lineups (e.g., top actionmovies, top comedy movies) and a plurality of audio-on-demand lineups(e.g., top alternative albums, top country albums, top 40 singles), andthe multimedia content item storage position identifiers can be coded toidentify a particular multimedia-on-demand lineup (e.g., MA1, MA2, MA3correspond to three movies of a first movie lineup, MB1, MB2, MB3,correspond to three movies of a second movie lineup).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, instructionsadapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method are stored ona computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can be a devicethat stores digital information. For example, a computer-readable mediumincludes a CD-ROM as is known in the art for storing software. Thecomputer-readable medium is accessed by a processor suitable forexecuting instructions adapted to be executed. The terms “adapted to beexecuted” and “instructions to be executed” are meant to encompass anyinstructions that are ready to be executed in their present form (e.g.,machine code) by a processor, or require further manipulation (e.g.,compilation, decryption, or provided with an access code, etc.) to beready to be executed by a processor.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a user at any appliancethrough a Web-based graphical user interface can instruct the processorto record any broadcast program onto mass storage for subsequent viewingand/or listening from a multiplicity of appliances. The user can chooseto have the broadcast program recorded once or every time that theprogram is broadcast.

Systems and methods in accordance with the embodiments of the presentinvention disclosed herein can advantageously provide a digitalresidential entertainment system. In an embodiment, a digitalresidential entertainment system can provide access to multimediacontent over an in-house broadband data network that is coupled to adata switch, a mass storage device and a variety of informationappliances. The broadband data network can include Category 5 or bettertwisted pair wiring that can support the distribution of broadcastvideo, multimedia-on-demand services, broadcast audio, Web surfing, andother multimedia applications and services. In an embodiment of thepresent invention, multimedia-on-demand services can be provided byautomatic downloading of multimedia content items to a mass storagedevice. A user can select usage (e.g., playing, purchasing) of thelocally-stored multimedia content items, and that usage can be reportedto the multimedia-on-demand service provider.

Embodiments of systems and methods for a digital residentialentertainment system has been described. In the foregoing description,for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will beappreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form.Furthermore, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that thespecific sequences in which methods are presented and performed areillustrative and it is contemplated that the sequences can be varied andstill remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the foregoing detailed description, systems and methods in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention have been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the presentspecification and figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather thanrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for providing digital entertainmentdata, the system comprising: a shared system bus interconnectinginternal components of a gateway, the gateway comprising: a processorhaving a processor input connected to the shared system bus and aprocessor output connected to the shared system bus; memory having amemory input connected to the shared system bus and a memory outputconnected to the shared system bus; multiple pairs of a tuner and ademodulator connected to the shared system bus to receive controlsignals, with each pair of the tuner and the demodulator tuning to afrequency to receive a plurality of information signals broadcast from asource; a data switch having multiple input ports and multiple outputports; a dedicated link between one of the multiple input ports and arespective one of the multiple pairs of the tuner and the demodulator,such that each pair of the multiple pairs of the tuner and thedemodulator is dedicated to a different input port of the data switch; avideo overlay processor coupled to the data switch that superimposes afirst audio-visual signal over a second audio-visual signal to produce asuperimposed signal; and a mass storage device connected to the sharedsystem bus, the mass storage device storing a plurality of content itemsand a corresponding single data record describing one content item inthe plurality of content items the single data record being a row in adata table, the row having a plurality of data fields, the plurality ofdata fields comprising: an item identifier field describing a title ofthe one content item; a type field indicating a type of the one contentitem; a cost of playback field indicating a fee for playing the onecontent item; a usage field indicating the one content item has beenplayed; a cost of purchase field indicating the fee for purchasing theone content item; a purchase field indicating the one content item hasbeen licensed for purchase; and a storage position identifier specifyinga position for the one content item in a lineup of different contentitems, the storage position identifier received from a source remotefrom the system.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising decryptionlogic decrypting the plurality of information signals to producedecrypted digital information.
 3. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a card reader that receives authorization to decryptencrypted digital information received from the multiple pairs.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, further comprising decoder logic connected to theshared system bus.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofinformation signals include a plurality of television program signals.6. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of information signalsinclude an audio signal.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof information signals include a data signal.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the plurality of information signals are received from atransmission facility selected from the group consisting of a directbroadcast satellite, a cable headend, and a terrestrial transmitter. 9.The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of information signals aremultiplexed transmission signals selected from the group of frequencydivided multiplexed transmission signals, time divided multiplexedtransmission signals, code divided multiplexed transmission signals,wavelength divided multiplexed transmission signals, and densewavelength divided multiplexed transmission signals.